128×64 Graphic LCD Module Buying Guide

HZY Engineering Notes · 2026-10-20

The 128x64 graphic LCD module is one of the most widely used monochrome display formats in industrial and consumer electronics. Its resolution is large enough for menus, icons, and multi-line text, yet small enough to fit into compact enclosures and to be driven by modest microcontrollers. Because so many variants exist under the same "128x64" label, two modules that look similar on a datasheet can behave very differently in production. This guide walks through the main decision points: build type, driver IC, display mode, outline size, interface, and voltage, and closes with the questions worth asking before placing an order.

Start with the build: COG versus COB

The first structural choice is how the controller is mounted to the glass.

COG (Chip-on-Glass)

In a COG build, the driver IC is bonded directly onto the LCD glass, and the module connects to the host board through an FPC or zebra connector. COG modules are compact and thin because there is no PCB behind the glass. They suit products where space is tight and where the design can accommodate a flexible tail. A typical example from our range is a 128x64 COG module using the ST7567 driver with a 28.5 x 20.0 mm outline. More detail on this construction is available on the COG LCD module page.

COB (Chip-on-Board)

In a COB build, the controller and its supporting components sit on a PCB, and the glass is mounted above it. COB modules are mechanically robust, easier to handle during prototyping, and often come with pin headers that plug into a standard socket or solder directly to a motherboard. They are a practical choice for industrial panels, instrumentation, and equipment where the display is mounted behind a window and wired with a connector rather than a fine-pitch FPC.

Neither build is inherently better. The decision usually follows from the mechanical envelope, the preferred connection method, and the expected production volume. For a broader overview of how these modules fit into the wider product family, see the graphic LCD module overview.

Driver ICs: ST7567 and the NT7107/NT7108 family

The driver IC determines the interface, the command set, and often the availability of the module over time. Two families dominate the 128x64 segment.

ST7567-type drivers

The ST7567 is a single-chip controller/driver with an SPI-compatible serial interface and an on-chip charge pump for LCD bias. It is common in COG modules because it needs few external components and supports compact layouts. Firmware support is widespread, and many microcontroller projects already include libraries for it. If your design is pin-constrained and you want a simple serial connection, an ST7567-based COG module is often the natural starting point.

NT7107/NT7108-type drivers

The NT7107 and NT7108 are parallel-interface controllers in the tradition of the classic 128x64 controller pair, with the NT7107 handling the column side and the NT7108 the row side. They present a parallel MPU bus, typically an 8080-style interface, which suits designs that already have a parallel bus available or that need the faster update behavior of a parallel link. These drivers are frequently found on COB modules with pin headers.

When comparing modules, check which driver is fitted and confirm that the command set matches the code you intend to use. A module built around one driver family is not a drop-in replacement for the other at the firmware level, even when the resolution and outline are identical.

Display modes: STN, FSTN, and DFSTN

Monochrome 128x64 modules are built on STN-family glass, and the mode you choose affects contrast, viewing angle, and background appearance.

• STN (super-twisted nematic): the baseline mode. It offers a green or yellow-green appearance in many configurations and is adequate for cost-sensitive products with a defined viewing position.
• FSTN (film-compensated STN): adds a compensation film that improves contrast and reduces the color shift common to plain STN. FSTN modules typically appear as dark pixels on a neutral gray or white background and are a common choice for instruments and handheld devices.
• DFSTN (double film STN): uses two compensation films for higher contrast and a cleaner black-on-white look. It suits applications where readability in varied lighting matters and where the display is a visible part of the product's front panel.

Each mode can be paired with positive or negative images and with transmissive, transflective, or reflective polarizers. Transflective is often selected for handheld products that must remain readable outdoors, while reflective versions suit products that rely on ambient light and want to avoid a backlight entirely. If a backlight is required, LED backlights are available in red, white, blue, green, yellow, and amber, including special shapes.

Outline size and mechanical fit

The 128x64 format does not imply a fixed outline. Modules in this family range from very small COG glass-on-FPC designs to larger COB boards with mounting holes. Before selecting, confirm:

• The overall outline dimensions and the active area position within them.
• The viewing area and any bezel or window dimensions in your enclosure.
• The position and pitch of the connection: FPC tail length and bending direction for COG, or pin header location and spacing for COB.
• Mounting features such as holes, frames, or adhesive areas.
• The thickness stack-up, including glass, backlight, and any polarizer films.

A dimension drawing is the only reliable way to confirm fit. Small differences in tail length or pin offset can force a PCB respin late in a project, so request drawings early and check them against your mechanical model.

Interface and voltage checks

Two electrical details deserve attention before any sample is ordered.

Interface

Serial interfaces such as SPI are common on ST7567 COG modules and reduce the pin count to a handful of lines. Parallel interfaces, including the 8080-style bus used with NT7107/NT7108 controllers, move data faster and suit systems that already have a parallel bus. Confirm the logic level of the interface and whether the module expects 3.3 V or 5 V signaling. If your host runs at a different level, plan for level shifting rather than assuming compatibility.

Supply and bias voltage

Check the module's supply voltage range and the LCD bias configuration. Many modules include an on-chip charge pump, but some designs expect an external bias voltage. Also confirm the operating temperature range required by your application; wide-temperature versions are available but should be specified explicitly. The general parameters used across our custom segment LCD work, such as drive voltages of 2.8, 3.0, 3.3, or 5 V, 6h or 12h viewing direction, and an operating range of -30 to +80 °C, give a sense of the options that can be discussed for a given project.

Questions to ask before ordering

A short checklist at the quotation stage prevents most surprises later.

• What driver IC is fitted, and can you supply its datasheet or command set reference? This determines firmware compatibility and long-term supply planning.
• Is the build COG or COB, and what is the connection method? Request the FPC or connector drawing with the quotation.
• Which display mode and polarizer are used? Confirm STN, FSTN, or DFSTN, positive or negative image, and transmissive, transflective, or reflective.
• What are the exact outline, viewing area, and active area dimensions? Ask for a drawing with tolerances.
• What is the interface type and logic voltage? Confirm SPI or parallel, and the signaling level.
• What is the supply voltage and bias arrangement? Clarify whether a charge pump is included.
• What is the operating temperature range? Match it to the product's environment.
• Is a backlight included, and in which color and brightness? Confirm the backlight current and any required driver.
• What is the MOQ for the standard model, and what changes trigger a custom quote? Many listed models start from very small quantities, while custom designs are quoted per project.
• What are the lead times for drawings, samples, and mass production? Typical timelines are drawings in about 3 days, samples in about 2 weeks, and mass production in about 5-6 weeks.
• What inspection and documentation are provided? Confirm the functional inspection routine and the availability of certificates on request.

Customization and sourcing considerations

Standard 128x64 modules cover many applications, but front-panel products often need adjustments: a different outline, a specific FPC length, a particular backlight color, or a modified viewing direction. Custom FPCs and selected touch options can be discussed for suitable designs. Because the same resolution can be delivered in several builds, the most efficient approach is to state the target specification clearly: resolution, build type, driver preference, display mode, outline envelope, interface, voltage, temperature range, and quantity. That list lets a supplier propose a standard module or a custom variant without back-and-forth on basics.

Shenzhen HZY Photoelectric Technology Co., Ltd. has designed and manufactured LCD panels and modules since 2011, with TN/STN/VA panel capability and COG, COB, and TFT assembly lines. The company is an audited supplier on Made-in-China following a TÜV Rheinland audit, holds ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and ISO 14001 system certifications with certificates available upon request, and performs 100% functional inspection before shipment.

To discuss a 128x64 design or any other panel requirement, send your target specification to our contact page. Include resolution, build type, interface, outline dimensions, and expected volume, and the team will respond with a suitable standard model or a custom proposal. You can also review the 128x64 LCD module range before you write.